Month: November 2014

Nov 28th

Different rotations of the same necklace are used across cultures, as well as within the same musical tradition. For example, the above rhythm is referred to as Tresillo in Cuba when started on the first onset, as Samhyon Toduri in Korea when started on the second onset, and as Nandon BawaaGhana when started on the third onset. Examples of necklace rotations like these and many more can be found in this paper on The Distance Geometry of Music.

While many other ratios are also used in music, the combination of 5 onsets (audible beats) in a cycle of 16 pulses (silent beats) is especially universal. Each of the above necklaces is known by different names across cultures, and has many variations. For example, the name Shiko originates in Nigeria, while the same necklace is referred to as Cinquillo in Cuba.